With gas prices going up all over the United States, this issue becomes burning hot in the country, too. Finally Americans linked up with the rest of the World in a desire to save some gas. Here are some tips from the former car engine designer that can help you to achieve best gas mileage.
- Use landscape to your benefit. If road goes up and down, don’t try to maintain constant speed. Let your vehicle speed up down the hill, so its inertia will help it climb up the next hill, and let the speed decrease slightly while you are going up. Of course you have to coordinate this with the traffic flow, so other drivers don’t get mad at you.
- Avoid unnecessary idling. This does not mean to turn off your vehicle at the red light or when coasting in neutral. Such things are dangerous, and you’ll use up more gasoline when you fire up your engine yet again. But try and pass up parking or standing for any prolonged interval with your engine on. Bear in mind that your engine gives you 0 MPG when idling, and it all adds up.
- In a hot weather, turn off air conditioner and open windows while driving in the city if practical, and close windows and turn on air conditioner on freeways. At higher speeds (50 MPH and up) aerodynamic resistance becomes a main gasoline eater, at lower speeds air conditioner consumes more.
- Don’t overuse brakes. The more you brake, the more you have to speed up later, and this costs you more in the end. If possible you want to speed up once, and then drive at the even speed unti you arrive at destination. Of course ideal is not achievable, however the closer you get, the more gas you save.
- Remove your bicycle or ski rack when you don’t need it. It’s not only weight that affects your fuel economy; it’s windage mostly.
All these tips will not turn your 15 MPG truck into a 40 MPG compact car, but they will help you to achieve best gas mileage possible in your current situation.
Tags: Automobiles